Articles by Andrew Chesterton

Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide contributing journalist Andrew Chesterton is an award-winning Australian automotive reporter with more than 20 years of experience across newspapers, magazines, digital publishing and automotive corporate communications.

Andrew began his journalism career at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, reporting across business, courts, crime, property and state politics before moving into automotive journalism.

He joined Top Gear Australia as its online editor in 2008, later being appointed editor of Top Gear New Zealand. He subsequently worked as an assistant editor during the Australian launch of the Daily Mail Australia, and as communications manager at FCA Australia, now Stellantis.

His experience on both sides of the media industry gives him an unrivalled understanding of the automotive industry, and the relationship between car manufacturers, the media, and Australian consumers.

Andrew’s work has appeared across leading automotive, news, business, luxury, travel and lifestyle publications, including CarsGuide, EV Central, DMARGE, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Top Gear, GQ Australia, The Australian, WISH Magazine, Boss Hunting, The West Australian, The Nightly, Women’s Day Australia, Carsales, NRMA, Men’s Health, CEO Magazine, Australian Financial Review and more.  

Andrew specialises in industry news, vehicle reviews, policy,  performance and luxury cars, electric vehicles, automotive technology, EVs hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and the broader Australian new-car marketplace.

In 2025, Andrew was named Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year and was a finalist for the overall Journalist of the Year award.

Earlier honours include Website of the Year wins at the Australian Magazine Awards and ACP Awards, the ACP Rising Star Award and recognition in the Bauer Media and News Ltd journalism awards.

Expertise

  • Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles
  • Performance, luxury and supercars
  • New-car reviews and road testing
  • Australian automotive industry and new-car sales
  • Chinese automotive brands and emerging manufacturers
  • Utes, SUVs and family vehicles
  • Automotive technology
  • Policy

Awards

  • 2025 Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year

Featured Publications

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Ford's HiLux hammering continues
By Andrew Chesterton · 03 May 2023
The Ford Ranger remains on track to be crowned Australia's most popular vehicle in 2023, with the Blue Oval's ute once again outselling its Toyota HiLux arch rival in April.
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Could this be Kia's game-changing ute?
By Andrew Chesterton · 30 Apr 2023
Kia's Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger-fighting dual-cab is edging closer to production, and now the electric and diesel-powered dual-cab has been rendered using the EV9 as the design inspiration.Kia's EV9 is the brand's all-electric take on a large SUV, and
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2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado coming soon!
By Andrew Chesterton · 28 Apr 2023
It's one of Australia's oldest ‘new' cars, but the clock is finally ticking on the unveiling, and local launch, of an all-new Toyota LandCruiser Prado, with the little brother to the all-new 300 Series expected to undergo some of the biggest single-generation changes in its long history.
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How much cheaper will the Model Y get?
By Andrew Chesterton · 28 Apr 2023
The Tesla Model Y has broken through another price barrier, with the popular EV now cheaper than the average price paid for a new car or truck in the USA, shattering the concept that electric vehicles are too expensive.
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Mahindra Scorpio 2023 review - off-road test
By Andrew Chesterton · 26 Apr 2023
You may never have heard of them, but Mahindra is a giant in its home market of India, and now it wants to properly conquer Australia, too. Its first real salvo in a new model offensive is a six-seat, diesel-powered 4WD called the Scorpio.Is it a cut-price alternative to the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Ford Everest? Andrew Chesterton put it to the test, both on- and off-road, to find out.
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Ram is ready to Rampage with new ute
By Andrew Chesterton · 24 Apr 2023
Ram has confirmed work on a mid-size ute that will take on models like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, with the brand's Brazilian arm releasing a teaser video detailing the model's design process.
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Meet the Indian SUV gunning for the Prado
By Andrew Chesterton · 20 Apr 2023
The all-new Mahindra Scorpio has arrived in Australia, presenting as a cut-price alternative to ladder-frame, diesel-powered 4WDs like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Ford Everest with sharp drive-away pricing.
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The Ram Dakota is going after the Kia ute!
By Andrew Chesterton · 16 Apr 2023
Ram has finally lifted the lid on its incoming Dakota mid-size ute, and the details reveal the long-awaited model will leapfrog the current-generation Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger and instead take aim at the all-new dual-cab from Kia and Hyundai.
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The end of the road for Nissan Patrol's V8?
By Andrew Chesterton · 15 Apr 2023
Signs that the all-new Y63 Nissan Patrol will wave goodbye to its trusty V8 engine are growing ever stronger, with new evidence the model will follow the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series down the six-cylinder engine path.
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Genesis to power up to take on AMG and BMW M
By Andrew Chesterton · 14 Apr 2023
Genesis has forecasted its performance-focused future, with the brand to start adding "spice" to its lineup with sportier models and powered-up engines.
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